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GreekGirlCooks

Active member
I just got back from Greece and one thing I noticed, which I didn't realize about Greece, is that there were a fair amount of pasta dishes on the menu.

As a kid, we didn't eat a lot of pasta. All we did was make a Greek-style meat sauce with spaghetti, pastitsio, and a pasta dish that involves an egg that I believe came from some family members that were from the Peloponnese.

What else do people make? I see a lot of Italian inspired pasta dishes. Are they any traditionally Greek dishes.
 
All the typical Italian pasta dishes I would see on menus occasionally. There are also some Greek pasta dishes I love:

- Pasta sauce made with Greek yogurt. It looks and tastes a bit like Alfredo, but a little tangier.
- Pasta dish made with olive oil, fried egg, and grated cheese. I think this dish may have come from somewhere in the Peloponnese. My family has roots there and we made it all the time.
- Greek meat sauce with a thinner tomato sauce than the Italian version, and spiced with some cinnamon!
- Pastitsio - the baked meat and macaroni dish - sometimes called Greek Lasagna, but it isn't really that
 
All the typical Italian pasta dishes I would see on menus occasionally. There are also some Greek pasta dishes I love:

- Pasta sauce made with Greek yogurt. It looks and tastes a bit like Alfredo, but a little tangier.
- Pasta dish made with olive oil, fried egg, and grated cheese. I think this dish may have come from somewhere in the Peloponnese. My family has roots there and we made it all the time.
- Greek meat sauce with a thinner tomato sauce than the Italian version, and spiced with some cinnamon!
- Pastitsio - the baked meat and macaroni dish - sometimes called Greek Lasagna, but it isn't really that
Oh my yeeesss, the pasta with the fried egg hails from the region of mani and it is called Tzouxti.
It is a simple dish that the ladies from Mani would make because they were to busy working the fields that they needed some quick easy and affordable (since meat back in the day was a luxury).
 
Oh my yeeesss, the pasta with the fried egg hails from the region of mani and it is called Tzouxti.
It is a simple dish that the ladies from Mani would make because they were to busy working the fields that they needed some quick easy and affordable (since meat back in the day was a luxury).
That's fascinating I never knew the dish name was called Tzouchti - for my pappou and dad it was comfort food - I always suspected that side of the family was from Mani but we never talked about it for some reason.
 

Lentil Dishes Beyond Lentil Soup

I’ve been cooking more lentils lately, mostly the classic Greek lentil soup, which I like a lot, but I know there has to be more out there. Lentils are one of those ingredients that feel very traditional and practical, inexpensive, filling, and honestly perfect for colder weather or fasting periods.

I’m curious what other Greek lentil dishes people make besides soup. Are there regional recipes, salads, or baked dishes that you recommend? I’ve heard of lentils served with vinegar and olive oil almost like a salad, and I’m wondering how common that is.

I’m especially interested in recipes that feel hearty and satisfying, not just light sides. Something you could put on the table as a main dish. How do you cook lentils?

Favorite classic taverna dishes to make at home?

One of my favorite parts of visiting Greece is sitting at a taverna table and ordering a mix of classic dishes to share. There’s something about that combination of simple ingredients, olive oil, herbs, and slow cooking that feels both comforting and special at the same time. It always makes me want to recreate those meals once I’m back home.

I’m curious which classic taverna dishes people like to make in their own kitchens. Do you go for things like moussaka, pastitsio, souvlaki, or grilled fish? Are there certain appetizers or meze that you’ve found are surprisingly easy to prepare at home? I’ve had good luck with dishes like tzatziki, horiatiki salad, and baked feta, but I’d love to expand my repertoire.

Are there any taverna favorites that turned out better homemade than you expected? Or ones that are worth the effort because they bring back that authentic atmosphere? I’d love ideas and inspiration.

"Forgotten" Greek Dishes to Try

I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it is to fall into a routine with Greek food. I make the usual things, grilled meat, salads, maybe a pie now and then, but it hit me that there are a lot of traditional dishes that used to be part of everyday life that almost nobody makes anymore.

I’m talking about the kinds of foods our parents or grandparents just handled without thinking. Homemade spoon sweets sitting in jars, diples made by hand during the holidays, preserves, syrups, things that actually took time and effort. Somewhere along the way those skills faded out, or people just stopped bothering.

It makes me wonder what else has quietly disappeared.

Do you have foods like that in your family history? Dishes you remember from childhood that you rarely see now? And which ones do you think are actually worth bringing back and making again?

Regional Tiropita Variations?

I’ve been making tiropita the same way for years, and while I love it, I’m starting to feel like I’m on autopilot.

My go-to is a simple feta filling with a little egg and black pepper, layered in phyllo and baked until golden. It’s reliable and always a hit, but I know Greece has so many regional variations that I’ve barely explored.

I’ve heard that some areas mix in different cheeses like mizithra or kasseri, and others skip the phyllo altogether and use a more rustic dough. I’m also curious about versions that are spiral-shaped, pan-fried, or made as individual pies instead of a large tray.

For those of you who’ve tried tiropita in different parts of Greece, what stood out? Are there regional twists that completely change the flavor or texture? I’d love some inspiration to shake up my usual routine and try something new in my kitchen.

List of My Favorite Greek Foods

I thought it would be fun to share my favorite Greek foods! I would love to hear about yours, as well.


Fasolakia - Particularly made with Green beans

Avgolemono - my favorite comfort food soup!

Traditional gyros - Made just like they are in Greece

Horiatiki - only the freshest produce (especially tomatoes) and best feta goes in mine

Koulourakia - such a great simple thing to have on hadn't to serve guests and eat with coffee

Moussaka - an absolute pain for me to make, I have a restaurant nearby that makes THE BEST

Stuffed grape leaves - also time consuming, but I love making them with fresh grape leaves

Fakes - I love lentil soup

Greek bread! - I figured out how to make it like it is in Greece.



Of course, those are just my top choices. I love most Greek foods, to be honest.
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